Blab Music
Leeds Opens Specialist Dance-Music Record Store on Kirkgate
On a quiet Thursday in Leeds, a fresh beat began to echo through Kirkgate when Plant & Deck and Peppermint Records opened a vinyl‑centric shop on the top floor of the Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop. The new store, a joint venture between the veteran national retailer and a local Leeds‑based shop, positions itself opposite the long‑standing independent boutique Tribe Records.
The venue will operate by appointment from Thursday to Sunday. According to the launch announcement, customers will find a carefully curated mix of new releases and a substantial inventory of second‑hand titles. Four listening stations allow shoppers to preview vinyl before buying, a feature the founders say will help collectors and DJs make informed decisions.
Plant & Deck brings more than 25 years of vinyl and CD retail experience, a national supplier network, and a reputation for specialist electronic music titles. Peppermint Records, which has supplied local DJs and collectors for decades, adds intimate knowledge of Leeds’ club scene and a roster of community‑focused events. Together, they aim to create a “haven” for dance‑music diggers, prioritising discovery and conversation.
Below the record shop, the Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop hosts DJ performances that complement the retail space. The combination of a shop and performance venue is intended to strengthen the link between vinyl collecting and Leeds’ thriving electronic music community. This hybrid model reflects a broader trend across the UK, where specialist record stores are adding experiential elements such as listening stations to attract serious collectors.
Leeds has long been a fertile ground for electronic music. Its club scene, university student population, and proximity to major transport links have made it a hub for DJs and producers. The new store’s location on Kirkgate places it within walking distance of other key venues, including the recently reopened Tribe Records, a staple of the city’s vinyl culture.
The first week of operation will feature a regular programme of in‑store events, though specific dates and line‑ups have not yet been announced. The founders said the events will showcase local DJs and guest speakers, creating a platform for dialogue about the evolution of dance music.
Mixmag highlighted the collaboration between Plant & Deck and Peppermint Records and the unique combination of retail and performance spaces. The article noted that the listening stations and appointment‑based hours are designed to accommodate the needs of serious collectors and professional DJs.
While the store’s business model focuses on vinyl sales, the presence of a DJ stage suggests a broader strategy that includes live performance and community engagement. The combination of new releases, second‑hand inventory, and listening stations is intended to appeal to both casual listeners and dedicated collectors.
The launch adds to Leeds’ growing portfolio of specialist music retail outlets and underscores vinyl’s continued relevance in an era dominated by digital streaming, especially within the electronic music community that values the tactile and sonic qualities of records.
As the shop prepares for its first months of operation, customers will need to book appointments for Thursday to Sunday visits. The store’s opening is expected to attract vinyl collectors, DJs, and fans of electronic music who seek a curated selection and a community space in the heart of Leeds.
Future plans include expanding the event schedule and potentially hosting larger festivals or collaborations with local clubs. No official dates have been announced for such events, but the founders have expressed interest in partnering with other Leeds‑based music organisations.
In summary, the new Plant & Deck‑Peppermint Records store on Kirkgate offers a specialised selection of dance‑music vinyl, listening stations, and a community‑focused event programme. Its appointment‑based hours and partnership with the Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop position it as a unique destination for Leeds’ electronic music scene.
The venue will operate by appointment from Thursday to Sunday. According to the launch announcement, customers will find a carefully curated mix of new releases and a substantial inventory of second‑hand titles. Four listening stations allow shoppers to preview vinyl before buying, a feature the founders say will help collectors and DJs make informed decisions.
Plant & Deck brings more than 25 years of vinyl and CD retail experience, a national supplier network, and a reputation for specialist electronic music titles. Peppermint Records, which has supplied local DJs and collectors for decades, adds intimate knowledge of Leeds’ club scene and a roster of community‑focused events. Together, they aim to create a “haven” for dance‑music diggers, prioritising discovery and conversation.
Below the record shop, the Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop hosts DJ performances that complement the retail space. The combination of a shop and performance venue is intended to strengthen the link between vinyl collecting and Leeds’ thriving electronic music community. This hybrid model reflects a broader trend across the UK, where specialist record stores are adding experiential elements such as listening stations to attract serious collectors.
Leeds has long been a fertile ground for electronic music. Its club scene, university student population, and proximity to major transport links have made it a hub for DJs and producers. The new store’s location on Kirkgate places it within walking distance of other key venues, including the recently reopened Tribe Records, a staple of the city’s vinyl culture.
The first week of operation will feature a regular programme of in‑store events, though specific dates and line‑ups have not yet been announced. The founders said the events will showcase local DJs and guest speakers, creating a platform for dialogue about the evolution of dance music.
Mixmag highlighted the collaboration between Plant & Deck and Peppermint Records and the unique combination of retail and performance spaces. The article noted that the listening stations and appointment‑based hours are designed to accommodate the needs of serious collectors and professional DJs.
While the store’s business model focuses on vinyl sales, the presence of a DJ stage suggests a broader strategy that includes live performance and community engagement. The combination of new releases, second‑hand inventory, and listening stations is intended to appeal to both casual listeners and dedicated collectors.
The launch adds to Leeds’ growing portfolio of specialist music retail outlets and underscores vinyl’s continued relevance in an era dominated by digital streaming, especially within the electronic music community that values the tactile and sonic qualities of records.
As the shop prepares for its first months of operation, customers will need to book appointments for Thursday to Sunday visits. The store’s opening is expected to attract vinyl collectors, DJs, and fans of electronic music who seek a curated selection and a community space in the heart of Leeds.
Future plans include expanding the event schedule and potentially hosting larger festivals or collaborations with local clubs. No official dates have been announced for such events, but the founders have expressed interest in partnering with other Leeds‑based music organisations.
In summary, the new Plant & Deck‑Peppermint Records store on Kirkgate offers a specialised selection of dance‑music vinyl, listening stations, and a community‑focused event programme. Its appointment‑based hours and partnership with the Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop position it as a unique destination for Leeds’ electronic music scene.
